Stop repeating yourself: Write once, reuse everywhere

As developers, we've all been there, writing the same utility functions, designing similar UI components, and structuring projects in the same way across different projects. While some repetition is inevitable, doing it too often can slow you down, introduce inconsistencies, and make maintenance a nightmare. Atleast that's what happened to me.

The DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principle is all about eliminating redundancy and maximizing code reusability. It’s a core software development concept that can drastically improve efficiency and maintainability. I realized this when I looked back on my journey only to realize how much time I have wasted-the time I could have used to push through new challenges and unlock new skills and I am writing this article so you don't waste your time like I did.

The Hidden Costs of Repetition

Rewriting the same code multiple times might seem harmless, but it has several drawbacks, let's look at those:

• Wasted Time: Why build the same component or utility function over and over when you could just reuse it? You've already done it once, you don't have to do it again.

• Inconsistencies: Small variations in repeated code can lead to unexpected bugs.

• Harder Maintenance: Fixing a bug in multiple places is tedious and error-prone.

• Slower Development: Time spent rewriting could be better spent solving new problems.

When I talk about repeated code or harder maintenance, I am not just referring to writing duplicate code within a single project. The real issue arises when you find yourself rewriting the same logic across multiple projects. Whether it's a utility function, an API integration, or a UI component, constantly rebuilding the same functionality wastes time and effort.

How to Avoid Repeating Yourself

Here are some practical ways to follow the DRY principle and streamline your development process:

• Extract and Reuse Components

If you find yourself designing the same UI elements multiple times, extract them somewhere you can always access. Whether you're using React, Vue, or any other framework, components help you keep your code modular and maintainable.

const Button = ({ label, onClick }) => {
  return (
    <button className="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-500 text-white rounded" onClick={onClick}>
      {label}
    </button>
  );
};

Now, instead of rewriting your favorite button component in every project that you build, just copy from where you've stored the code and use it.

• Use Utility Functions

Instead of rewriting common functions that you most likely use in different projects (like formatting dates or capitalizing strings), store them somewhere and reuse them.

export const capitalize = (str) => str.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + str.slice(1);

• Leverage Open-Source Code Snippets

Why reinvent the wheel when you can leverage high-quality, tested snippets? This is exactly why I built StackBits—a collection of reusable frontend and backend components to speed up development.

Instead of coding an axios interceptor from scratch or if you are writing a button component for your project, you can grab a ready-made solution and focus on your core logic. StackBits offers React components, API endpoints, utility functions, and more—all designed to be plug-and-play.

For example, instead of coding a yup validations from scratch, you can copy a ready-made snippet from StackBits.

Start Coding Smarter, Not Harder

Writing efficient code isn’t about typing faster—it’s about thinking ahead and making your code reusable. By following the DRY principle, you can save time, reduce errors, and improve your workflow.

And if you ever need pre-built, high-quality code snippets, check out StackBits—your shortcut to writing better code without unnecessary repetition.

How do you avoid repeating yourself in your projects? Let’s discuss in the comments! 🚀